EAST AMWELL TWP. — The annual Hunterdon County 4-H Fair will close a day early, no later than 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, because tropical storm wind and rain are likely in this area. A hurricane warning is in effect for the eastern side of the state and Gov. Chris Christie yesterday declared a state of emergency.

Today there was some mud from yesterday’s rains but 4-H shows, entertainment schedule and rides were in full swing. Volunteers manned booths about local groups and the offerings of food vendors scented the air.

But behind a tent and line of cars and pickups, a group of close to 20 county and fair officials met this afternoon to decide when to close the fair, which otherwise would have continued until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28.

County public safety Director George Wagner said, that heavy rain and “sustaining, not gusting, winds” are predicted for Hunterdon County. The meeting was held under blue skies, the air hot, still and humid.

“We have the luxury of time,” he said, urging fair officials to use it to plan well.

Rain is forecast tomorrow but organizers also had rain and visitors yesterday. “We have showers every fair,” secretary Terry Wright said. “That doesn’t keep people away.” He wasn’t downplaying the need for safety on Sunday.

Fair manager Dan Mundy said that some vendors already told him that they plan to leave after the fair closes tonight.

At entertainment organizer Dan Torrone’s suggestion, performers scheduled for Saturday and Sunday are being cancelled. Limited rides will remain open in the amusement area tomorrow, said Wright, likely the smaller rides suitable for younger children. He said that the operators of larger rides need more time to break down.

One official at the emergency meeting said that the large tents should hold up to 50 mph winds. Wagner noted that a number of vendors had erected pop-up rain shelters. The wet ground makes the tents particularly vulnerable to heavy winds; stakes could come loose more easily.

Either way, winds are projected to far exceed 50 mph on Sunday.

Most of the large farm animals are in permanent barns on the fairgrounds, some of them open-sided. Others, and more than 300 small 4-H animals and reptiles, are under tents.
Farmer Bob Hoffman of Tewksbury Township pointed out that exhibitors and vendors need to get home safely. “I’ve got cows and tractors here,” he said, and each roundtrip home to unload could take two hours, in good weather.

Wright said that the safety of the 4-H exhibitors — some as young as eight years old — vendors, volunteers, the animals and visitors are all important.